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Indiana Pacers forward David West says his teammates are the most together group he's been around in his career

Carmelo Anthony, David West

Indiana Pacers' David West, right, drives against New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony in the first half of Game 5 of their NBA basketball playoff series in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York, Thursday, May 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Two years ago when former New Orleans Hornets forward David West opted out of his contract, he wanted to play for a franchise that didn’t have a dominant superstar like his former teammate Chris Paul.

He wanted to be around teammates that confided in each other and didn’t care who scored the most points or made the most highlight plays.

West, a two-time All-Star when he played eight seasons for the Hornets, is convinced he made right choice signing with the Indiana Pacers as a free agent. After pushing the Miami Heat to six games in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals, the Pacers will face the Heat again in the high stakes Eastern Conference finals that open Wednesday night at the American Airlines Arena.

Unlike last year, the Pacers are expected to give the defending champion Heat its stiffest challenge in the postseason because of their collapsing defensive pressure and balanced offensive attack led by West, forward Paul George and point guard George Hill. The Pacers advanced to the conference finals after eliminating the New York Knicks in six games. The Heat eliminated the Chicago Bulls in five games last week.

"This is the most together group that I’ve been a part of,’’ said West, who averaged 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in their series against the Knicks. "We don’t have any egos. We don’t have a bunch of `I’ guys. We have guys who are intent on doing whatever we have to do to go out and win the game.’’

The Pacers one of the few teams to win a regular season series against the Heat, winning two of the three games. Heading into conference finals, the Pacers are hoping 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert can make the same impact he made against the Knicks with his ability to defend tough around the rim.

Averaging 13.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.2 blocks, Hibbert outplayed former Hornets center Tyson Chandler in the series. Hibbert made the highlight play in Game 6 when he blocked a forceful dunk by Knicks star Carmelo Anthony midway in the fourth quarter that spearheaded the Pacers' surge down the stretch that led to a 106-99 victory.

"He’s the best rim protector in the game,’’ Pacers Coach Frank Vogel said. "No disrespect to the first-team members (all-defensive team) or Marc Gasol (Defensive Player of the Year), they are great defensive players.''

After Vogel said the Heat was just the next team in their way of trying to reach their objective of winning a championship, Heat star LeBron James misinterpreted his comments and reacted angrily about being disrespected.

"We’re not just another team,’’ James told reporters Sunday. "I don’t understand what he’s saying. We’re not just another team. That’s not true. He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re a great team.’’

Regardless how the series evolves, West said his teammates are going to be ready.The Heat have fared 45-3 in its last 48 games, which includes the playoffs.

"We’ve been building toward this,’’ West said. "We knew this matchup was coming, but our guys embraced the challenge. We just took another step. Everything with this group is about growth, about taking the next step.’’